Low Self-Esteem

Low Self Esteem

Low Self Esteem

Low self-esteem, it affects everyone at one point or another in their lives. Low self-esteem can be debilitating and sometimes lead to depression and other issues  if not corrected.  Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves and how confident or not we are in certain situations. Some people may feel different because they have a larger than average nose, or they feel they are too short or too tall. However, low self-esteem can also cause major disorders, for example dual diagnosis (someone suffering from a substance abuse problem and mental illness), if not addressed early on.

Low Self-Esteem Effects

Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia start with someone who feels inferior in some way because of their perceived weight problem (usually non-existent or very minor). As the individual obsesses upon weight loss, they become willing to abuse their body to get the desired results: to be thin. Low self-esteem can also manifest itself more silently, and cause depression, a somewhat invisible illness that affects millions of Americans. As a person isolates themself because of their self-consciousness about a certain trait they may have, it can become depressing and lead to other issues.

Instill Confidence in Your Children

It is of extreme importance that we raise our children to be confident but not overly confident, to not bully, and to know when to ask for help to avoid these issues later in life. While no parent is perfect, there are a few simple steps we can all do that will help ensure a little stability in our children. First and foremost, children must learn early on that bullying is wrong, and that contrary to what peer pressure may be out there, telling an adult about a bully is, in fact, the right thing to do whether they are the victim, witness, or bully. Many experts can agree that childhood bullying may in fact be a leading cause of low self-esteem and related issues later in life. Secondly, if your child is starting to gain weight, which is a common target for bullies throughout their lives, encourage healthier choices like fruits and veggies and make exercising fun and rewarding somehow. Never tell anyone they are fat.

Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You

Last but not least, the number one thing is treat others as you would like to be treated. If there were no bullies, if media could be kind to those of us that do not look like supermodels, then perhaps low self-esteem would less commonly turn into major issues. Let the ideas in this article help you improve the life of someone around you or see for yourself that whatever your issue is, there are people all around you who are willing to lend a helping hand, sometimes you just have to ask.

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